February is National Children’s Dental Health Month! Help your child have the best smile.

American Dental Association or ADA has recognized February as National Children's Dental Health Month. This is to raise awareness about dental health in children. It is essential to practice good oral hygiene habits at an early age, along with regular dental visits to the dentist in Sacramento, to have a healthy set of teeth for a lifetime. 

Therefore, this is the best time to learn more about dental health, oral hygiene habits, a child's first dental visit, etc. 

The campaign slogan for National Children's Dental Health Month 2021 celebration is "Water, Nature's Drink!". The slogan aims to highlight the importance of drinking water to help in the prevention of cavities. 

Drinking fluoridated tap water can be beneficial for teeth by protecting the enamel. Drinking water after a meal washes away food debris and sugar, thus making the teeth clean. Drinking water also helps increase saliva production, thus preventing dry mouth and cavities.

10 Tips for National Children's Dental Health Month

According to the American Academy of Periodontology, the most important preventive step against childhood oral diseases is to practice good oral health habits from an early age. Here are some basic steps to help the children maintain optimal dental health:

1. Practice them to brush their teeth for two minutes, twice per day. If your kids are not old enough to brush by themselves, help them.
2. Help them make flossing a habit - flossing is helpful to clean the food particles that are stuck between the teeth. When the gaps between children's teeth close, start flossing.
3. Promote nutritious foods.  Adding fibrous fruits and vegetables to the diet can keep the kid's teeth clean and healthy. 
4. Limit sugary snacks & drinks. Instead of soft drinks, give them water and low-fat milk.
5. Sugary foods and drinks should be given along with meals. Saliva production increases while having food and helps neutralize acid production and rinse particles from the mouth.
6. Do not skip their biannual dental visits. The best time to have your child's first dental visit is before they turn one. Ask the dentistabout the use of sealants and fluoride.
7. Establish good dental hygiene habits from an early age. Wipe your child's gum with a clean wet cloth after every feed, even before their first teeth erupt. You can start using toothpaste to brush their teeth when they turn 12 months old. 
8. Check our child's mouth often to see the signs of cavities, periodontal disease, bleeding gums, swollen gums, bad breath, etc.
9. If your kids like chewing gum, make it sugarless. This can increase saliva flow and help wash out food and decay-producing acid. 
10. Do not allow your kids to sleep every day with a bottle filled with milk or juice, as it can facilitate tooth decay. 

Practice these preventive measures to help keep young children cavity-free. Also, take them to Arden Dental Care, Sacramento, CA, and help them practice dental health habits from an early age.  Please schedule an appointment online or call us at (916) 481-2001.